Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda

Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda

The Taliban

One of the mujahideen groups that formed when the Soviet Union was invading Afghanistan

came to power after war with the Soviets

hold a very strict interpretation of Islamic law

provided refuge for Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda

network of extreamists organized by Osama Bin Laden

worked to make alliances with other radical groups

goal is to drive Americans and American influence out of Muslim nations

performed many terrorists acts including the most famous 9/11

Twin Towers burning after planes crashed into them.

World trade center parking garage damage after the bombing in 1993.

Taliban women who are forced to be covered.

Twin Towers burning after planes crashed into them.

World trade center parking garage damage after the bombing in 1993.

Taliban women who are forced to be covered.

Osama Bin Laden

studied with radical Islamic thinkers

top advisor was al- Zawahiri

financed the Taliban

In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, so bin Laden traveled to Peshawar to join the resistance.

When Osama traveled to Peshawar he used his extensive connections to win financial and moral support for the mujahideen. He also encouraged young men to come from all over the Middle East to be a part of the Afghan jihad.

In an attempt to protect himself from arrest and win more recruits for Al-Qaeda, bin Laden moved from Sudan to Afghanistan in 1996.

Terrorists attacks leading up to 9/11 by Al-Qaeda

1982 - US Embassy in Beirut is bombed

1982 - US Marine base in Beirut is bombed

1985 - The ship the Achille lauro is seized

1988 - Passenger jet Pam Am Flight 103 is blown up

1993 - 5 killed and hundreds injured by a bomb placed in the World Trade Center